Sunday, March 29, 2020

Bright Spots

Hi All,

The Covid 19 case and fatality graphs are still grim but there have been some bright spots.

The four resident volunteer couples at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge decided to have a socially distant happy hour yesterday.

Sharon & Richard on the left, Amanda & Norm In the back, Patty & Jack on the right and us in the foreground; all six to eight feet apart. We thought about using binoculars and walkie-talkies but didn't need them🙀

Went shopping today-this is the same paper goods aisle that was stripped bare last time.

Gas below $2 a gallon was a welcome sight as well.
Keep washing those hands and stay at least six feet from everyone you don't sleep with.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
greenbaum2@gmail.com
www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com
617-435-8502

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Hanging in There

Hi All,

The refuge is now closed. We have been told to stay home. It is comforting that we have also been told we can stay here as long as we want/need to. We are staying close to home. First cases of Covid 19 on Sanibel reported yesterday.

So this is home for the foreseeable future. Grand Teton is closed and RV travel is uncertain given campground closures.

Carl is an engineer so graphs speak to him. This one, a plot of daily cases, says it will get worse before it gets better.


This photograph speaks to everyone. Italian nurse Elena Pagliarini passed out at her desk from exhaustion at Cremona, Italy Hospital.

Beautiful sunsets bring smiles to a grim world.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
greenbaum2@gmail.com
www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com
617-435-8502

Friday, March 20, 2020

A Time of Peace in the Chaos

Hi All,

Situation here is still trending downward. Visitor Center is closed. We work in the office but not much to do. Restaurants are take-out only. 

Bat-Yam Congregation where we often attend Friday night services is closed.

The bright spot is that Sandy found the live stream of the Jackson Hole Jewish Community Shabbat service. This is the community we are part of when we volunteer in Grand Teton. Judd Grossman, the lay cantor broadcast the Friday evening service. 
We spent an hour watching and listening to familiar melodies and prayers. It was a welcome respite from the Covid 19 chaos but isn't that what Shabbat is always about.

Air hugs to you all, stay safe and sanitized.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
greenbaum2@gmail.com
www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com
617-435-8502

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Sanibel Status

Hi All,

Things changing quickly here. The Big Arts theatre where we volunteer usher has closed for the season. All of the programs we do at the refuge have been canceled and local volunteers have been told to stay home. The visitors center is still open but we will be keeping our distance when talking to visitors. 

Even though we cannot do our programs, we have been told we can stay here as long as we want.

All beach parking lots are closed.

Sandy is protecting us with chicken soup and Chardonnay.

Kudos to COSTCO. We went there today for repairs to Carl's hearing aids. Big sign outside listing out of stock items, all carts sanitized before given to customers, limiting customers to about 300, every other check out aisle closed to provide safe distances and frequent signs reminding folks of 6 foot distance recommendation. Oh, and no food tasting stations!

On a less virulent note, our moon has been masquerading as a planet lately.

Here is a sliver of crescent moon with the rest illuminated by earth shine. A thin streak of clouds adds to the illusion that this is Saturn with rings. Shot in Guatemala with a volcano in the foreground.

For several years, Elon Musk has been promoting a Mars settlement. Someone made a T shirt supporting this notion. Unfortunately the image is not Mars but rather the moon during a total lunar eclipse.

Stay safe, keep washing and sanitizing.

Love ,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
greenbaum2@gmail.com
www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com
617-435-8502

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Catching Up

Hi All,

We are doing OK here on the refuge. Presentations and movies in our Visitor Center 100 seat auditorium have been cancelled. Our nature walks and smaller group nature talks continue. Visitation is down about 40%.

Hiking on our Indigo Trail, Carl spotted this black racer snake curled up next to the trail.

The next day we spotted this immature little blue heron on the boardwalk railing.

Since we work Thursday-Saturday we do chores and shopping on Sundays. This was the view of the paper goods aisle in the local Publix at 11AM.
Please wash/sanitize your hands often, try real hard to not touch your face and get your pandemic status info and advice from medical and science experts not politician

Stay safe.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
greenbaum2@gmail.com
www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com
617-435-8502

Friday, March 6, 2020

APOD Favorites

Hi All,

Here is a selection of Carl's recent favorite "Astronomy Photo of the Day" images.













Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
greenbaum2@gmail.com
www.livingourdream2011.blogspot.com
617-435-8502